危险
weixian
The English word 'danger' is translated into Chinese as 危险 (weixian).
危险 refers to exposure to likely harm. In Chinese, unlike English, this word can function as both a noun ('danger') and an adjective ('dangerous') without changing its form.
Meaning: exposure to likely harm (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 危险 is the standard term, 危急 is used when the danger carries a sense of urgency. Additionally, 风险 is often used to mean 'risk', though it can also denote potential danger.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, you may use 危 to mean 'danger' or 'crisis' or the phrase 危機 to convey a danger or crisis.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer specifically to the abstract quality or the degree of danger, you can add the suffix 性 to the word to form 危险性.
How do you pronounce it?
weixian
Did you know?
- In Chinese culture, the concept of 'crisis' is often expressed as 危机, combining 危 for 'danger' and 机 for 'opportunity'.
- The first character in 危险, 危, is composed of a person standing on top of a cliff or a high pedestal. It visually represents the precarious position that leads to danger.
- In modern Chinese internet slang, users sometimes use 危险 to describe a romantic tension or a 'dangerous' attraction between people.
Examples in context
- 危险还没有度过。The danger has not passed yet.This sentence shows how to express that the danger has not yet passed using 危险.Tatoeba #7976857 by olia1204, translation #8249311 by francaisr0wlet
- 你处于危险之中。You were in danger.This sentence describes someone being in a state of 危险.Tatoeba #9961440 by GlossaMatik, translation #2647739 by CK
- 他意识到他面临危险。He is aware of the danger.This sentence illustrates being aware of the presence of 危险.Tatoeba #1423322 by sadhen, translation #300074 by AlanF_US
- 请小心，那个地方很危险Please be careful, that place is very dangerous
- 他在危急时刻挺身而出He stepped forward in the face of danger
- 请注意这个地方存在一定的风险Please be aware that there is some danger in this area
- 这个路段危险啊，开车要小心This stretch of road is dangerous, be careful when driving
- 别玩那个游戏了，有风险的Don't play that game, it's risky
- 这很危险。This is very dangerous.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a risky hiking trail.
- 浩然 Haoran这条路太危险了，我们回去吧。Zhè tiáo lù tài wēixiǎn le, wǒmen huíqù ba.This path is too dangerous, let's go back.
- 雨婷 Yuting你说得对，这里确实有危险。Nǐ shuō de duì, zhèlǐ quèshí yǒu wēixiǎn.You're right, there really is danger here.
- 浩然 Haoran雨婷，你的安全比登顶更重要。Yǔtíng, nǐ de ānquán bǐ dēngdǐng gèng zhòngyào.Yuting, your safety is more important than reaching the peak.
- 雨婷 Yuting谢谢浩然，我们现在就走。Xièxie Hàorán, wǒmen xiànzài jiù zǒu.Thanks Haoran, let's leave right now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
